Ok. I know this is brought up A LOT – but simply put – I suggest that all Living Story rewards should only be available to acquire during the length of the event by doing the actual event – BUT THEN afterward each item should be available for purchase with a (1) Black Lion Claim Ticket plus added to Gemstore for something like 800-1600.
So, do the event, and get the reward for free and first. Or don’t, but you’ll be last wearing it and have to pay terribly.
Everybody wins. Simple.
For instance, my computer was out of commission during the entire length of Twilight Assault. Never got the Slickpack. And Toxxis, my sour green and black mushroom headed Sylvari Necromancer, has been crying and slitting his wrists on a nightly basis since. I will gladly pay. I will paaaay…